with an election win at his back, the white house says the president won't budge on two points -- higher tax rates for the rich. the actual rate might be negotiable. and any deal has to include an increase in the debt limit, which is set to hit its ceiling in february. but one mistake the president won't make in these talks, is the one he made a year and a half ago in negotiations with boehner. he didn't keep democratic leaders in the house and senate in the loop. this time, he did. even though nancy pelosi is not at the table, she says she's on the team. >> the president knows our views. he shares our values. >> reporter: what i'm hearing from administration sources is they want republicans to agree to some of that rate increase for the wealthy in taxes. and the debt ceiling. then, the white house will start talking about how we're going to cut entitlement programs. that's not the way the republicans want the negotiations to go. but basically, the white house is saying, listen, do this and we'll go forward. >> a tough game of political chicken in washington right now. >> bill clinton ca